Update on participation in REACT project

On 16 October, we published an article regarding our intention to suspend our participation in the European REACT project to develop energy-efficient computers, involving 11 participating institutions in the Netherlands and abroad. Based on reports about one of the scientists involved from the Technion University in Israel, it was decided to investigate in more detail the potential risks for undesirable end use of the knowledge gained within this project.

We have used this suspension to further assess our planned activities within the REACT project. This assessment has revealed that only a small part of the project involves direct collaboration between the University of Groningen (UG) and Technion, which is planned in 2027. As previously indicated in the statement, this research collaboration will be submitted to the Knowledge Security and Sensitive Partnerships Advisory Team.

The vast majority of our participation in the REACT project involves training PhD candidates at the UG, joint activities related to the training of PhD candidates, and our role as project coordinator.

Based on the above, the UG has decided to limit the suspension to the part of the project that involves direct collaboration with Technion. The other activities, which make up the vast majority of our involvement in the project, can therefore start on 1 November.

Future international collaborations must always be checked against the knowledge security checklist. If any of the points on this list apply, the collaboration must be submitted to the Knowledge Security and Sensitive Partnerships Advisory Team. This checklist also includes questions about possible defence ties of partners outside the EU and potential misuse of research.